Need some input on choosing a chicken breed...

[trailgurl]

Hey, I was wanting to get some help on choosing a chicken breed
What I Am Looking For:
a LARGE chicken-It'll be free range for the most part, and it needs to be able to get away into the tall trees if it needs to
good egg production rate-that's what it will be for, for the most part
I'd like it to be pretty enough to show at 4-H shows, and the like
on the Lower end of price range-I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for some chicks!
I'd buy fertile eggs or chicks
Please, give me your opinion on what breed best suits my needs

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sorry. I don't know of any.

a LARGE chicken-It'll be free range for the most part, and it needs to be able to get away into the tall trees if it needs to

Mutually exclusive. The larger it is, the harder it is for it to fly.

good egg production rate-that's what it will be for, for the most part

There are several breeds that meet this criteria. Any of the dual purpose breeds will work, but so will mainly egg producing breeds, like leghorns.

I'd like it to be pretty enough to show at 4-H shows, and the like

I don't know what the criteria is for your 4-H shows. I don't know the categories, if they follow the Standards of Perfection, or how good your local judges are. But it is not a case of pretty. Any breed can be shown as long as there is a category for it. The problem is that people spend a whole lot of time and money to develop and maintain good show quality chickens. This can be a very detailed discussion on its own.

on the Lower end of price range-I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for some chicks!

If you want show quality chicks, you will pay for it. If egg production is your goal, hatchery chicks will serve the purpose well.

I hate to be negative, but I just don't see any breed that meets your criteria.

 

[punky rooster]

buckeyes! but yes for the most part the bigger the bird the less it can fly (including buckeyes)

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
lg chicken: Salmon Faverolle's, eggs & good eaten too
great 4h project, easy to show very calm
not expensive for a good quality bird

 

[suzettex5]

I agree with the first poster- Some of your 'wants' are kinda mutually exclusive. It was a well put reply.

Buuuut, if ya want some actual breed suggestions acording to some of your requirements- I would suggest....Australorps, Jersey Giants, Orpingtons, Giant Cochins, maybe Sumatras, Wyandotes, Marans.

Some are more expensive, buying eggs is usually cheaper if you arent shipping far and are fairly good at incubating. LOTS of BYC'ers have wonderful lines and I would suggest you talk to the ones with the breeds youre interested in and go from there.

Those a re just a few, some are much larger than others, but theres a start for you to look into.

Hope you have fun!!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
there are quite a few breeds that qualify, this poster is asking a good question, why so negitive?

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Ridgerunner

I second your opinion, finally thery is some of us here to say the way it is without any sugarcoating and pandering.

I do that all the time (often getting in trouble with mods).

Just want to add:

Chickens are not wild species, they should be provided safe, clean and decent housing.

If somebody want's "show quality" chickens roosting on trees, but does not want to spend "a lot of money for just chickens", perhaps it will be better to look for other species.

If somebody thinks they can "roost chickens on trees" and also do 4-H shows, they need some more education, before they are fit to keep any chickens or any other bird species requiring a minimum care conditions.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
Ok I'm not sugar coating anything, the poster wants a large chicken that produces a fare amount of eggs, can be used for 4h and while running the yard can hide in the trees, when a bird of prey is in the sky. It is no where in the original post that says no housing, the birds will live in trees, and they want grade A show birds, you can get a 4h quality show bird from Ideal hatchery or by asking a local breeder ( I give my extra show quality birds to the local 4h kids to help them get in to chickens)
some of my show birds free range without fences

as i asked before why so negitive?

 

[trailgurl]

*ahem*
The Chickens will have proper housing, I just want them to be able to have a means of getting away from predators. Sorry if anyone finds that offensive or gathers from 1 supposed statement that I won't take care of them.
Secondly, no one knows about my level of education on this subject or not. all they know is what i have posted. and "show quality"- is not a big deal. I just wanted some other input on the subject.
I have been caring for chickens for my whole life. I do know what basic animal needs are. No one is able to judge someone else's knowledge of a given subject based on a few sentences.
not trying to be rude, just trying to set the record straight.
However, i will say that "pretty for shows" was not the best way to state it. A better way would be:
I would prefer aforementioned fowl to be considered up to show standards based on the American Poultry Association's Standard Of Perfection.
Thanks for your time.

 

[trailgurl]

@Buck Creek Chickens-thanks for the input! I'm asking because my 4-H needs some ideas of what breeds would be suitable for them to own